[cyberAsk]

Hello,

I believe that DLLs are library files that contains objects which could be used by other programs (if public methods/functions are exposed). My question is as follows:-

1- How to know if a DLL is an exposed library ? (i.e. can be used by programmers)

2- How can I include and make use of a DLL file?

3- Are there any documentation for the functions/methods?

4- Could you please provide an example?

5- I'm using Microsoft VisualBasic.net, is there a good example of making use of DLL with VB.ne

Thanks

[BlazingWolf]

You can use any DLL you need, but you need to find documentation for it to figure out how to use it.

All you have to do is at it as a reference in your IDE, and then include the namespace.

The key point is finding documentation for the DLL.

[aniket]

dll files r just complementory files which can get executed under exe files, dll files can't get executed seperately

[fitzjj]

1- How to know if a DLL is an exposed library ? (i.e. can be used by programmers)
You can use any DLL they are all exposed, but as is mentioned earlier getting hold of the documentation for the DLL might be a bit more tricky and without this using a DLL is almost impossible

2- How can I include and make use of a DLL file?
you just treat the functions in the dll as if they were regular functions except you need to tell your code that the function is in external code by indicating the path to the dll. I dont know VB so cant give you an example here, but if you would like an example in C/C# let me know

3- Are there any documentation for the functions/methods?
Yep, but whether you can access it is a different story

4- Could you please provide an example?
Not in VB, i can in C/C#, if this would be helpful then let me know

5- I'm using Microsoft VisualBasic.net, is there a good example of making use of DLL
the MSDN will have plenty, when researching them for a project in C# i found loads - it is finding one that explains the basics that is more tricky, once you have the basics you are there


DLLs are just libraries of functions that mean a programmer does not have to write the function themselves and also so that programmers can carry out tasks under windows without having to have access to the source code